words

Mubble-fubbles

~ my word (s) ~ 1 Comment

I credit Susie Dent, lexicographer extraordinaire, for introducing me to this word via instagram. I’d been searching for something that would describe my current state of ennui, a sense of not being able to get on with anything or satisfactorily complete a task.

Mubble-fubbles perfectly sums up this feeling and is a 16th century expression for a fit of low spirits. I also read yesterday that January is the month for hibernation and rest. Perhaps, if I do just that, the mubble-fubbles will have passed by February.

In the still quiet of winter, rest and hibernate mind and body.

Weather Words

~ my word (s) ~ 2 Comments

We’re known, in the UK, for our fondness for talking about the weather. This week has certainly given us cause to turn to our favourite subject time and again. We’ve had storms, rain, snow, ice and, occasionally, the sun has made an appearance.

My favourite weather word is dreich and one I frequently heard as a child from my Scottish aunts. I think it perfectly describes a miserable, grey and wet day. It’s most effective when said with a broad Scottish accent, the ‘ch’ sound similar to that used in ‘loch’.

Another very descriptive Scottish weather phrase is ‘blowing a hoolie’. It is thought that the hoolie comes from the Orkney word, hoolan, meaning a strong gale.

If it’s dreich or blowing a hoolie where you are today, why not hunker down with a good book – Dreich House maybe?

And Another Quirky Word

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Have you ever shown off, strutted about vainly like a peacock? There’s a word to describe that and it’s derived from the Latin, pavo, meaning peacock.

Verb – pavonise or pavonize.

It’s not a word in common usage today though has been highlighted by Susie Dent, lexicographer, on social media.

Can you find a way to sneak it into conversation?

Another Quirky Word

~ my word (s) ~ 5 Comments

Yesterday, I shared the word Quidnunc, meaning an inquisitive and bossy person. Today, I ask, are you hurkle-durkling?

This enchanting 18th century phrase is Scottish in origin and means lounging about in bed long after you should be up. Instead of sounding punitive like idle or lazy, hurkle-durkling sounds light and cheerful. I once saw the phrase, happiness is hurkle-durkling – perfect.

So, if you’re in the mood for some hurkle-durkling on a cold winter day, go ahead.

Get hurkle-durkling